Biocatalysts vs. Metal Catalysts: A meta-analysis of green chemistry efficiency, sustainability, and industrial applications

Abstract

Catalysis is a cornerstone of green chemistry, underpinning nearly 90% of industrial chemical processes. Biocatalysts, work under mild conditions, providing stereo selectivity, biodegradability, and environmental compatibility. They are particularly valuable in the pharmaceutical and fine chemical sectors, Metal catalysts, dominate bulk chemical production due to their robustness, scalability, and superior turnover numbers (TON) and turnover frequencies (TOF). This review synthesizes fragmented literature to provide a comparative meta-analysis of these two catalytic approaches, using parameters like yield, selectivity, TON, TOF, energy efficiency, E-factor, and life cycle assessment (LCA). It provides an evidence-based perspective on the sustainability, performance, and industrial potential of biocatalysts and metal catalysts.